WestJet airlines pet policy allows you to travel with small pets as carry-on or checked baggage on most international flights, or air cargo baggage on domestic flights.
WestJet does not accept dogs and cats
- As carry-on or checked baggage on flights to/from/through London, Glasgow, Ireland, Jamaica, Barbados, and Hawaii.
- On codeshare or interline flights.
- On WestJet operated flights booked through a partner airline.
Trained service animals (dogs) are allowed to travel free of charge in the passenger cabin with disabled passengers.
WestJet In-cabin Pet Policy
- Pets Allowed. Only small dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits are allowed in the aircraft cabin, as long as they’re travelling with an adult passenger.
- Pet Carrier Restrictions/Requirements (In-cabin Pets)
- The pet carrier must be soft-sided and airline-approved.
- The pet carrier dimensions must not exceed 41cm x 25.4cm x 21.5cm (16in x 10in x 8.5in).
- The combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 22lb/10kg.
- The pet carrier must have a waterproof bottom.
- The pet carrier must be well-ventilated.
- No part of the petâs body (incl. the head) should protrude from the carrier.
- The pet carrier cannot be a gym bag, duffle bag, or a non-pet carrier bag.
- Pets Per Passenger. Only 1 pet per passenger is allowed.
- Maximum Pet Carriers Permitted
- Up to 4 pet carriers are permitted on Boeing 737-600, 767-300, and Bombardier Q400.
- Up to 2 pet carriers are permitted on Boeing 737-700 and 737-800.
- Pet Reservations
- Cannot be made onlineâyou must call customer service number to book your pet, ideally at least 48 hours before departure.
- Pet Forms Required
- Proof of rabies vaccination at least 30 days before departure for international flights.
- Conditions of Acceptance
- Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and in good health.
- Your pet must remain inside their kennels/carriers throughout.
- Your pet must remain under your front seat.
- Your pet must not be aggressive or in distress.
- Your pet must travel in an airline-approved soft-sided kennel.
- Hard kennels will not be accepted.
- If youâre travelling on a flight where a passenger is allergic to a cat, you will be notified before you board your flight and moved toward the aircraftâs rear end to comply with the regulations of the Canadian Transportation Agency.
- Pets cannot fly with Unaccompanied Minors.
- Pet Fee for Carry-on Pets
- The pet carrier/kennel will count as part of your free carry-on baggage allowance, depending on size.
- CAD/USD 50-59 on flights within/between Canada and the U.S.
- CAD/USD 100-118 on flights between Canada/U.S. and all other destinations outside the U.S.
- Bird Embargoes
- Birds will not be accepted on flights to the Dominican Republic.
- Endangered birds or extinct bird remains cannot be exported from Mexico.
- Additional import regulations may apply if youâre flying with a pet bird to Canada or the U.S.
WestJet Pet Policy for Checked Pets
If your pet is too large to travel in the aircraft cabin, is other than a dog or a cat, or youâre taking a long flight, you can transport it as checked baggage. The temperature and pressure in the cargo hold section of the aircraft are the same as that in the aircraft cabin.
You will also need to fill out a Live Animals Handling Declaration form at the airport when checking in your pet.
- Pets Allowed. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and hedgehogs.
- Pet Reservations
- Call WestJet customer service number at least 48 hours before departure to avoid last-minute rejection.
- Checked pet reservations cannot be made online.
- Your pet carrier/kennel will count toward your carry-on baggage allowance.
- Forms Required
- You must fill out the Live Animals Handling Declaration Form, which will be provided to you at the Westjet check-in counter. You must provide your full contact details at the destination city in the form.
- All other forms required by the countries of destination/transit/departure.
- Max. Weight. The weight of the pet plus carrier must not exceed 100lb/45kg.
- Pet Carrier Requirements
- The pet carrier dimensions (L x W x H) for pets travelling as checked baggage must not exceed 101cm x 68cm x 76cm (40in x 27in x 30in) respectively.
- Must be hard-sided and lined with absorbent material.
- Include a Live Animal label and This Way Up arrows on 2 sides (provided at the check-in counter), along with your petâs name.
- Must be properly ventilated without any labels blocking the holes.
- Must be adequately fastened (cable ties are provided at the check-in counter), as advised by the WestJet representative.
- Must be free from toxic/harmful paint/materials/preservatives.
- Must not have any parts protruding that can injure your pet, another pet, or a person nearby.
- Must have accessible food and water containers.
- 2 pets of the same species and similar size can travel together in the same pet carrier as long as they donât weigh more than 30.8lb/14kg each and are known to each other.
- Must be spacious enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down.
- The top and bottom halves must be fastened together with metal hardware.
- Must be IATA compliant.
- Must contain original locks for securing the doors. The locking pins should hold the container (after extrusions) by at least 1.6cm.
- Must have a 0.75in protecting rim; a solid roof and bottom; and sturdy handles capable of lifting the carrier/kennel without it tilting.
- Maximum Pets Accepted
- Up to 6 pets per passenger (or 3 pet carriers) are accepted on Boeing 737 aircraft, incl. MAX.
- Up to 4 pets per passenger (or 2 pet carriers) are accepted on Boeing 787 aircraft.
- Up to 2 pets per passenger (or 1 pet carrier) are allowed on WestJet Dash 8/Saab aircraft.
Note. The numbers may be reduced during holiday periods.
- Check-in
- You must check in your pet at the ticket counter and pay the pet fee.
- Check in early to complete the required paperwork.
- Pet Fee for Checked Pets
- CAD/USD 100-118 on domestic flights and flights to/from the U.S.
- CAD/USD 200-236 on flights between Canada/U.S. and any other destination.
- Restrictions
- Route Restrictions
- Animals will not be accepted as checked baggage to the following destinations: Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Mexico (Medida, Ixtapa, Huatulco, or Zihuatenejo) Aruba, Ireland, Belize, Hawaii, and Ireland.
- Breed Restrictions
- Aggressive, unruly, and/or distressed dog breeds will not be accepted.
- Pit Bull Terriers will be allowed in any airport in Ontario Province.
- Breeds banned in any airport/country will not be transited through their respective airports.
- Temperature Restrictions
- Animals will not be accepted as checked baggage:
- Between May 15 and October 31 to the United States (Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Orlando, Miami, and Las Vegas), Caicos, Turks, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Curacao, Cuba, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Antigua, and Barbuda.
- When the temperatures (actual/forecasted) at any city on the itinerary are more than 85°F (29.4°C) or less than 45°F (7.2°C). However, pets with an Acclimation Certificate may be accepted when the temperatures are below 45°F.
- Animals will not be accepted as checked baggage:
- Holiday Restrictions for PetsâDomestic Canada Flights
- Dec. 15-17 (incl.)
- WestJet 787 2
- WestJet 737 2
- WestJet Encore Q400 1
- Dec. 18 â Jan. 4 (incl.)
- WestJet Encore Q400 0
- WestJet 787 0
- WestJet 737 0
- Jan. 5-7 (incl.)
- WestJet 787 2
- WestJet 737 2
- WestJet Encore Q400 1
- Dec. 15 â 17 (incl.)
- WestJet 787 2
- WestJet 737 2
- WestJet Encore Q400 1
- Dec. 18 – Jan. 4 (incl.)
- WestJet 787 0
- WestJet 737 0
- WestJet Encore Q400 0
- Jan. 5 â 7 (incl.)
- WestJet 787 2
- WestJet 737 2
- WestJet Encore Q400 1
- Dec. 15-17 (incl.)
- Holiday Restrictions for PetsâU.S. and International Flights Nov. 1 to Mar. 31 (incl.)
- Calgary â Lethbridge/Medicine Hat/Lloydminster/Cranbrook
- Route Restrictions
WestJet Cargo Pet Shipping Policy
If your petâs weight exceeds the weight limit for travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold, or if your pet is travelling alone, you can transport it as air cargoâsubject to the conditions below.
- Pets Allowed. Most domesticated pets.
- Pet Reservations
- Must be booked in advance and approved by WestJet.
- Call WestJet Cargo at 1-866-952-2746 (1-866-WJCARGO).
- Number of Pets Per Flight. Only 1 pet is allowed per flight.
- Check-In
- You must check in your pet at the WestJet Cargo facility at least 2 hours before departure.
- Pet Age
- Your pet must be fully weaned and at least 8 weeks, but the destination countryâs age requirements will prevail.
- Restrictions
- Breed Restrictions
- Refer to Breed Restrictions above.
- Temperature Restrictions
- Refer to Temperature Restrictions above.
- Other Restrictions
- Weekend transportation can only be on direct flights.
- Pets will not be held overnight in any of WestJetâs facilities.
- Breed Restrictions
- Forms Required
- A health certificate issued by a certified veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
- Proof of vaccinations (dogs, cats, ferrets).
- Pet passport for the destination country (international flights).
- Pet Carrier Requirements (Air Cargo)
- The total weight of the per plus carrier must not exceed 160lb/72.5kg.
- Must be an airline/IATA compliant and non-collapsible.
- Must be ventilated from all 4 sides (international flights).
- Must have:
- A waterproof bottom.
- Spring-loaded door lock.
- Food and water bowl attached to the door. Find airline-compliant pet crates.
- 2 pets are allowed to travel together in the same pet carrier if they:
- Belong to the same species, and
- Are of similar size, and
- Known to each other, and
- Weigh up to 30lb/14kg each
WestJet Pet Policy for Service Animals
WestJet accepts trained service animals (only dogs) accompanying disabled passengers free of charge in the passenger cabin. Service dogs can travel to most destinations, except Montego Bay or Kingston (Jamaica) and Bridgetown (Barbados).
- Only passengers with disabilities are allowed to travel with service animals.
- WestJet accepts only trained service dogs that have been trained by a person or an organization that specializes in dog training to perform tasks for eligible passengers.
- Eligible passengers travelling to/from the United States are allowed to travel with up to 2 service dogs per disabled passenger.
- For itineraries including a flight operated by a partner airline, contact the partner airline to check their guidelines.
- Passengers must ensure that the service dog meets the import/entrance regulations of all the countries in your itinerary, including stopovers.
Destination Specific Restrictions
- WestJet does not accept service dogs on flights to/from:
- Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica
- Bridgetown, Barbados
- You must obtain pre-approval when travelling to the following destinations:
- Hawaii
- Mexico
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- France
- Spain
- Antigua
- Belize
- Cayman Islands
- St. Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos
Reservations
- Call WestJet customer service number at least 48 hours before departure to ensure youâre not denied travel. If you have an existing reservation code, have it ready.
- If youâve made a WestJet Vacations package booking, inform WestJet at least 7 days before travelling.
Note. You may be asked a few questions about your service dogâsuch as what service it provides, its breed, length, height, width, and weightâand your needs.
Seating Requirements
- Service dogs will not be allowed in emergency exit rows.
- Service dogs cannot occupy a seat.
- For service dogs requiring additional floor space (free of charge within Canada), you must place a request with WestJet at least 48 hours before departure. For flights outside of Canada, you will need to purchase an extra seat.
- If your service dog exceeds the âsafeâ weight and size limits, it may not be accepted on the flight.
Conditions of Acceptance
Service dogs must:
- Be under the passengerâs control at all times.
- Always wear a vest, collar, harness, or leash or remain inside a pet carrier/kennel.
- Bear a label indicating that they are service dogs.
- Always be well-behaved.
Service dogs must not:
- Run around freely.
- Bark or growl at others.
- Bite or jump on others.
- Urinate/defecate in the airport/aircraft cabin.
- Cause disruption on the aircraft or in the airport.
Identification Requirements
- Bring your service dogâs required documentation, such as:
- Registered Identification Card, etc.
- Entrance and quarantine requirements of the country of destination.
- Obtain pre-approval if youâre travelling to the following countries:
- The United Kingdom
- Ireland
- France
- Hawaii
- Mexico
- Cayman Island
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos
- St. Lucia
- Antigua
Note. Emotional Support Animals are no longer accepted in the aircraft cabin as Service Animals w.e.f. August 2021.
WestJet Pet Policy for Working Dogs
WestJet accepts working dogs for a fee. Working dogs include dogs trained to perform tasks for their handlers, such as:
- Tracking items or people in rescue/search operations
- Performing tasks for the military or police
- Performing other specialized skills
Note
- Working dogs will be charged the normal in-cabin pet fee.
- You will need to purchase an additional seat if your working dog requires additional floor space, subject to availability.
- WestJet Vacation package bookings are not included under this program.
- Working dogs will not be accepted in the Business cabin on 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Documentation Requirements for Working Dogs
You must present your working dogâs Registered Certificate Identification Card at the airport.
Conditions of Acceptance
Your working dog must:
- Remain under your control.
- Wear a leash, collar, vest, or harness, or remain inside a kennel.
- Be well-behaved and non-aggressive at all times.
Advance Notification
To ensure space availability, always .Days book in advance.